As soon as Sierra turned her back, Drew refocused on me. He held up a hand. “Before you turn me down flat, know that I am not above making a fool of myself in order for you to say yes. Although, please don’t offer a bargain that involves money. Even in the name of charity. I get the willies just from those lunchbox auction things on shows likeLittle House on the Prairie. I’d feel like a perv if I had to pay in any way, shape, or form, to spend time with a woman. But if you want me to get on the store’s intercom system right now and sing ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ à la Heath Ledger to prove I’m serious, I’ll do it.”
A bubble of laughter worked its way up my chest. “How does acting a fool prove you’re serious?”
“Oh, honey. If you have to ask, then you’ve never had someone woo you right.”
I’d never had anyone woo me at all.
Sierra returned, hugging pillows to her middle like she planned to play Santa. Drew took a step closer, and I swore the hairs on my arm tried to reach out and touch him.
“I’ll respect your answer if you say no, but I have to warn you, I can be stubborn, and I don’t give up easy when I want something.”
Everything stilled around me as I soaked in his meaning. Me. He wanted me. For the first time in probably ever, I found I didn’t want to argue with Drew. “Pick me up at seven.”
16
Drew
At ten to seven, I knocked on Nicole’s door. A handful of moths fluttered around the single bulb hanging from the porch light above my head. A siren wailed in the distance. My mouth flooded in a rare show of nerves, and I swallowed, mentally telling myself to calm down.
I hadn’t been nervous about a date in a long time. But this was different. This was Nicole. While I’d casually dated since Veronica, I’d never been serious. Never had feelings for the woman other than wanting to spend the evening in someone’s company instead of by myself. But there wasn’t anything casual about my feelings for Nicole. She’d never said so, but being a mom raised the stakes. Like Ben said, she had more to consider than just herself.
Then again, so did I.
The door opened. Nicole stood in the frame, backlit by the house lights. She had on a floral-patterned dress that nipped at the waist and pooled out like a bell, stopping at her knees. Where at the football game I’d thought she could be a vintage pin-up girl, her outfit tonight reminded me of a sweet and wholesome housewife from the 50s—some type of modern Donna Reed. Her hair had been rolled and pinned away from her face, a style I recognized from World War II movies.
“You look stunning.”
She blushed and fiddled with the length of her dress. “Thank you.”
“These are for you.” I struck out my right hand and offered her a bouquet of warm-toned sunflowers.
Her fingers brushed mine as she wrapped them around the flowers’ stems, and I moved my pinkie to caress the back of her hand as she pulled the bouquet to her.
She brought them to her face and inhaled. “These are lovely. Thank you.”
Sierra popped her head out from behind Nicole’s back. “Hi, Mr. Drew.”
“Hey, princess.” I held out the small bouquet of dahlias in my left hand. “These are for you.”
Her eyes widened as she reached to accept my gift. “You brought me flowers?”
I winked at Nicole before wiping all vestiges of humor from my face and regarded Sierra as seriously as I could. “They pale in comparison to your beauty, but consider them a small token of my grandest affection, humbly bestowed by your most ardent admirer.”
Sierra giggled, and Nicole rolled her eyes, a hint of a smile on her heart-shaped lips.
“Never trust a smooth talker, Sierra.”
I grabbed at my chest. “I’m wounded by your implications and lack of faith in my sincerity.”
Sierra giggled again.
Nicole placed a hand on her shoulder. “Be good for Grandma, okay?”
Sierra nodded, holding her flowers to her chest.
Nicole kissed her head. “Let me just grab my purse,” she said to me.
When her back was turned, I leaned toward Sierra. “Be good, but maybe mix in a touch of mischief, eh?” I made my eyebrows jump and crossed my eyes while sticking out my tongue.
